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Historically, folk architecture in hot and wet climates throughout the world addressed the exigencies of climate with minimal structure that supported a roof with effective insulating properties, perhaps adding an elevated living platform to remove the inhabitants from the intrusion of vermin and surface moisture.

In sum, one lived under an insulating umbrella, keeping the sun and rain at bay while admitting as much moving air as possible.

– Hawaiian Modern, pg. 74

Figure 9.1 A New Hawaiian Tropical House

Source: Own Work

If I want readers to take anything away from the preceding chapters in this dissertation it is not so much a justification for an individual piece of architecture; rather the goal is and has been from before this document was written to attempt to convince the architectural, engineering and

construction industry in Hawai‘i that the way we currently go about our architectural endeavors is as inherently flawed as it is invasive. More than anything this document should stress the importance of designing a home in Hawai‘i in a way that is healthy and comfortable for its inhabitants. The focus of the design should stress a symbiotic and harmonious result of the many unique variables which present in every local design challenge. There should be a conscious effort to understand the culture for which the design is for, the site for which the building shall be sited, the climate for which it is part and how these effect levels of ventilation, light and indoor health and comfort. There should be an investigation into the various building materials and methods and the inherit risks and benefits of each when factored into specific architectural variables.

Perhaps more than anything I want to stress that the proceeding design is in no way the only way to build a house in Hawai‘i which fulfils the goals for which this dissertation hopes to achieve.

Different materials, methods, types of construction and architectural methodologies could be applied and the result could still be climatically appropriate, culturally significant and could solve the many potential health problems associated with the typical way of building a home in Hawai‘i.

If one recalls the chapter on the history of Hawaiian architecture it almost seems like there was a conscious effort to avoid any kind of symbolism, decoration or regional attribution to Native Hawaiian architecture. The only time one would really see something that looks like a Hale Pili in Hawai‘i would be either as a garish tourist driven attraction whose primary goal is to appeal to the sentimentalities of the “exotic” and paradisiac island getaway, or in some rare instances as an educational tool for some organizations to try and teach Hawaiian history. This sometimes manifests as temporary buildings where children or interested parties can learn things like pili grass lashing or occasionally as recreations of Hawaiian wa‘a hales for paddling teams throughout the islands. In some of the more “designer” homes throughout the state one might see glimpses of the steep pitched “A” frame roof with manufactured “thatching” material on the underside popping up in the living room of multi-million dollar homes (this would fall under the kitschy category).

In many ways I understand this desire to avoid the direct symbolism attributed to the Hale Pili or “A”

frame. Creating an “A” frame home in Hawai‘i feels like a Post-modernists overt attempt to recreate some pieced together historical architecture for no other purpose but to create something different.

When one first sees images of the design for this project they may have this feeling; this is just an attempt to recreate the Hale Pili. In fact, it was my goal to avoid anything that looked overtly

“Hawaiian” for this reason. That is because throughout history we have seen the majority of

“Hawaiian” type residential architecture fail in all the important aspects of design the preceding chapters have called for.

Then one comes across the quote from the beginning of this chapter which can be found on page 74 of the highly-praised Hawaiian Modern: The Architecture of Vladimir Ossipoff:

Historically, folk architecture in hot and wet climates throughout the world addressed the exigencies of climate with minimal structure that supported a roof with effective insulating properties, perhaps adding an elevated living platform to remove the inhabitants from the intrusion of vermin and surface moisture. In sum, one lived under an insulating umbrella, keeping the sun and rain at bay while admitting as much moving air as possible.

This quote stuck in my head while researching this project and I very much took it as inspiration. The key to designing for these islands is simplicity. In a way, the problem is massively complicated but the solution can be entirely simple. Given the justification for pre-fabricated concrete and timber pieces I thought about how that elevated platform and roof may look and set out to achieve a simple way to combine the needs of the roof and platform in a simple and repeatable structural form.

The first step was to design a simple and easily repeated pre-cast concrete structure. If one recalls from the section on pre-cast concrete, repeatability of elements means affordability of the project. For ease of construction and affordability I wanted to limit the pre-cast elements to the simplest forms that I could. Knowing that one of the simplest and most efficient architectural forms is the triangle I imagined a system of concrete beams which, in part, supported themselves. This creates an efficient structure with just two beams leaning into each other. This house, then, only incorporates two very simple concrete beam profiles, one for the elevated floor and lanai beams and one for the primary structure.

Figure 9.2: Pre-Cast Concrete Structure

Source: Own Work

The primary structural beams form a 60 degree angle from their connection at the peak down to pre-cast concrete footings where the structure meets the land. The secondary beams are attached to the by sitting on welded or bolted, cast “shelves” on elevated portions of the main structure. Each pre-cast “rib” is efficient on its own and can be repeated as many times as desired to form the primary structural skeleton of the home. In this home, the pre-cast rib is repeated seven times. While other simple concrete forms could have been incorporated like a simple post and lintel, the 60 degree slope of this structure gives efficient slope for drainage while providing maximum surface area for water catchment or solar panel arrays. Additionally, the high interior ridge minimized excess radiant heat gain while allowing for more space for natural stack ventilation through louvered ridge windows to occur.

Figure 9.3: Natural Ventilation Diagram for A New Hawaii Tropical House Source: Own work

The next step was to create the elevated floor, which will sit directly on the pre-cast concrete members. This elevated floor accomplishes a few things; first, inhabitants are off the ground in case of flooding events and second, airflow is allowed under the structure to reduce excess moisture and heat buildup. The floor material is a thermally modified cross nailed laminated panel (RE: Proceeding, Floor Panel Plan) separated into 10 individual units.

This floor construction is sufficiently insulated and with thermal modification the reduction of moisture helps to alleviate any fungal growth. Over this floor, the wall panels are installed. In this iteration the walls are either thermally modified CNLT or Brettstapel panels which are placed in a central living area to maximize open living areas (RE: proceeding Floor Plan).

Figure 9.4: Floor Panel Model Source: Own work

Thermally modified beams are added to provide both proper rise for the lanai roof as well as an area to receive future sliding doors.

Figure 9.5: Thermally Modified Walls

Source: Own work

Figure 9.6: Thermally Modified Walls, Perspective

Source: Own work

The lanai and roof feature similar thermally modified CNLT panels, with the addition of a waterproof membrane and thermally modified purlins and planks to help with climatic resistance (RE: proceeding Details, AA-1, AA-3).

The concrete lanai beams support the thermally modified roof panels while decending through the floor to the foundation. This beam system allows for maximum airflow and light without the need for additional supports at the permieter or interior portions of the home.

Figure 9.7: Thermally Modified Lanai Panels and Interior Walls

Source: Own work

Figure 9.8 Lanai Roof + Loft Floor Source: Own work

The interior loft floor / lower level ceiling is then placed before the primary roof panels are added. Next the thermally roof panels are attached to the precast concrete beams. The final step is to add the skin of the home;

thermally modified adjustable louver windows and sliding door panels. The windows are added at the ridge and at the “gable” ends of the roof. These windows allow airflow and aid in the natural ventilation of the home but can be closed when it rains to prevent moisture intrustion.

Figure 9.9: Thermally Modified Roof

Source: Own work

Built in drainage diverts the water through a drainage pre-cast in the concrete beam (RE: proceeding Detail AA / 3). The doors are sliding panels with louvers which can be opened to a minimum profile to allow maximum airflow and light or closed to prevent dust, insects or intruders from entering the home.

Figure 9.11 Thermally Modified Louver Doors – The Skin

Source: Own work

Figure 9.10: Gable End Louvers

Source: Own work

Figure 9.12: Exploded Axonometric

Source: Own work

The process of construction is simple and could be completed by a few workers with a crane. The panels could be pre-fabricated from a manufacturer, built by a small group of people or by a homeowner in the sweat equity sense. The pre-cast concrete structure is simple and its repeatable members are structurallly and cost efficient, especially if the home was to be built as part of a community.

Figure 9.13 Interior Structure

Source: Own work

Importantly, this home contains building materials which would resist the effects of the harsh climate, reduce the growth of mold, not give off harmful VOCs or other toxic substances and would be done by using materials we currently have in the state.

The house is completely open; maximum airflow and light are allowed to the interior but can be controlled, giving inhabitants a direct connection to the land which the home is sited without the need for typical doors and windows which hermetically seal the home and require unhealthy air conditioning systems.

Figure 9.14: Light Filled Bedroom; Afternoon Sun

Source: Own work

Figure 9.15 Light Filled Bedroom; Morning Sun

Source: Own work

Figure 9.16 Living + Lanai

Source: Own work

Inhabitants in this house should not feel like they are in the typical house, they should feel connected to the site for which the house is located. It is without the traditional inside / outside delineations of living room to lanai but rather the space should read and feel as one continuous living lanai.

Figure 9.17: A view from inside…

Source: Own work

Figure 9.18: Living Lanai

Source Own Work

From any vantage point in the home there is a clear view to the outside world, only the utility rooms are partially enclosed while the kitchen and living areas blend with each other and to the outside.

Figure 9.19 Living Lanai to Bedroom

Source: Own work

Figure 9.20 Inside / Outside

Source: Own work

The elevated structure is adaptable to many sites throughout the state by properly sizing the footing to specific soil conditions. This means that the home could be placed on sandy coastlines, lava rock fields or in soft, cindery soils and still allow for airflow under the home and prevent surface water intrusion.

The material pallete, through natural lava aggregate and thermally modified timbers speaks to vernacular Native Hawaiian traditions but the pre-cast concrete and cross nailed laminated timber construction moves the home away from a traditional “A” frame or a kitschy rendition of a hale pili to a more contemporary and fitting Hawai‘i tropical home.

Figure 9.21: Exterior Perspective

Source: Own work

Figure 9.23: The Bones

Source: Own work Figure 9.22: Looking Up

Source: Own work

Figure 9.25 Amongst the ironwood trees

Source: Own work Figure 9.24: Louvered Light

Source: Own work

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